A frequent topic in NEIWPCC’s Water Quality Standards Workgroup is EPA’s guidance relative to bacteria criteria for recreational waters.

The Water Quality Standards for Coastal and Great Lakes Recreational Waters Rule was finalized in 2004 to provide guidance to state, territory, and authorized tribal water quality programs on the adoption and implementation of bacteriological water quality criteria for the protection of waters designated for recreation, that is, those waters used for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, white-water rafting, or simply enjoyed while hiking or bird watching. States were encouraged to use E. coli or enterococci as the basis of their water quality criteria. This would help to protect fresh recreational waters.

In 2012, EPA finalized new recommended bacteria criteria. These criteria incorporate evidence from a series of newer studies on gastrointestinal illness rates for swimmers in recreational waters. Specifically, these studies looked at a correlation between illness and bacteria levels. The revised criteria also use a new definition of what is considered gastrointestinal illness; a person no longer needs to exhibit a fever (in addition to other symptoms) to be considered ill. States have until December 2017 to either adopt the new criteria or propose their own criteria to EPA.

As a result of the new definition of illness and the new data analyzed, the revised criteria are more stringent than before and could significantly affect state beach programs and beach advisories. NEIWPCC continues to facilitate discussions among states, and between the states and EPA, to discuss the states’ schedules for adoption of these new criteria and their approaches to incorporating EPA’s regulatory requirements into their beach programs.

The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission is a not-for-profit interstate agency that utilizes a variety of strategies to meet the water-related needs of our member states—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. NEIWPCC serves and assists our states by coordinating activities and forums that encourage cooperation among the states and providing overall leadership in water management and protection.